WeedLife News Network

Mario B. Williams has never been one to shy away from a fight. As head of NDH Law, the Atlanta-based attorney has worked on behalf of jail inmates, immigrants, the mentally disabled and minorities who have won settlements against police agencies,. 

According to the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Farms, and Markets (AAFM), all hemp products containing Delta 8 THC are illegal, a change that went into effect on April 23 of this year.

The Vermont AAFM sent out an email to all registered hemp farmers to inform them of the new statute. As of now, Vermont is one of 12 states that have banned the production of Delta 8 THC products. The other states are: Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Idaho, Iowa, Mississippi, Montana, Rhode Island, and Utah.

Are you familiar with the THC that’s not as psychoactive as delta-9, but with the same general medical benefits? Delta-8 is gaining popularity now, and we’re committed to bringing you the best products available. Mail ban or not, we’ve got tons of awesome products, like delta 8 syringes, so check out these great delta-8 THC deals, and get started with the ‘other’ THC.

Vermont’s new legislation

On their website, the agency even acknowledged that hemp plants naturally produce Delta 8 THC. However, because it’s only present in trace amounts, products that are high in Delta 8 are usually made through a method known as isomerization, which synthetically converts CBD to THC.

The Vermont Hemp Rules state that, “A processor shall not use synthetic cannabinoids in the production of any hemp product or hemp-infused product”. With this new ruling, the manufacturing, labeling, or sale of any Delta-8 product would violate Vermont state law. As with any other Schedule 1 narcotic, anyone caught producing, distributing, or possessing Delta 8 products will face criminal charges.

The ruling has the statewide Delta 8 THC industry up in arms and scrambling to figure out what they will do when such a large part of their inventory is suddenly prohibited. This update is expected to negatively impact their newly established revenues in a major way.

An Australian-based company with an exclusive licence to a variety of rare cannabis cultivars is putting its plants to the test.

Neurotech International (NTI) has begun a study to assess the safety and tolerability of its products to treat symptoms associated with autism in children.

In a release, the company reported it is currently working on a Phase I/II open label clinical study in 20 children aged five to 17 who have Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

According to the release, the study marks the first time that full-spectrum cannabis extract containing less than 0.3 per cent THC will be assessed in children with ASD.

Professor Michael Fahey, head of paediatric neurology at Monash Children’s Hospital, is supervising the trials, which will measure the impact that cannabis has on things such as focus, agitation, irritability and general quality of life, over 16 weeks.

Idaho has become the last state to legalize industrial hemp, more than two years after the passage of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (2018 Farm Bill) legalized it as a commodity crop.

On April 16, Idaho Gov. Brad Little signed House Bill 126 into law, legalizing the production, processing, research and transportation of industrial hemp with up to 0.3% tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in the state, beginning with the spring 2022 growing season, the legislation states.

Since the passage of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (2014 Farm Bill) and the 2018 Farm Bill, the conversation of hemp legalization in Idaho has been an ongoing debate. The state focused on how it could create a bill that would provide Idaho farmers the opportunity to grow hemp while still maintaining an enforceable drug policy, said Braden Jensen, the deputy director of governmental affairs and national affairs coordinator at the Idaho Farm Bureau Federation, a grassroots organization affiliated with the American Farm Bureau Federation that advocates for the agricultural community.

"The state wanted to be methodical, careful and cautious as they went forward with legalization," he said. “That was kind of the balance that attempted to be struck with the bill that passed this year, and we have seen different variations of the bill over time that have tried to have that appropriate balance."

Compared to other state's hemp laws, Jensen said the bill is very "narrowly tailored," as it only applies to licensed growers and processors. He also notes that the sale of hemp products containing any amount of THC to Idaho consumers is still prohibited, as was the case before the law passed.

Cannabis has been a known sedative for centuries, thanks to its relaxing properties.

Sleep. It’s so vital for health and wellness, yet so many of us struggle with it.

Getting a good night’s rest isn’t as easy as you think, at least for a great deal of the population. If you’re between the age of 18 to 64, you need 7 up to 9 hours of good sleep each night. Yet, a surprising 35.2% of American adults sleep less than 7 hours a night while 10-30% of adults report that they struggle with chronic insomnia.

A night of deep sleep is essential to feeling great the next day, and it also helps prevent a host of health problems down the line. It’s crucial for helping the body to repair internally, prevent sickness, keep the immune system up, prevent weight gain… the list goes on.

Photo by Acharaporn Kamornboonyarush via Pexels

The Florida State Boxing Commission has made a major change to its policy regarding cannabis.

At a meeting Tuesday, the commission voted to essentially eliminate marijuana from its prohibited drug list, Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation spokesperson Patrick Fargason told ESPN on Tuesday. Previously in Florida, even trace amounts of cannabis found in a fighter's system would lead to a suspension, fine and a victory getting overturned.

"We're not testing for it," Fargason said. "We're not doing anything with it -- period."

The change was based on a recommendation from the Association of Boxing Commissions (ABC) medical advisory committee, as well as the UFC's anti-doping policy run by the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), Fargason said. He added that if a fighter is visibly impaired on fight night, the commission would take action. But Florida will no longer test for cannabis with regards combat sports competition.

Florida's new rule would affect boxers and MMA fighters competing in the state. UFC 261 took place April 24 in Jacksonville, Florida, and there were no suspensions for cannabis on that card, Fargason said. The rule voted on Tuesday will go into effect immediately, he said.

There is perhaps no cannabinoid more misunderstood than cannabinol, or CBN as it is better known.

Once thought to be the primary source of the psychoactive effects associated with marijuana, CBN has an ancient tie to cannabis’ first concentrate, hashish, and is now being explored and isolated to provide relief for conditions like insomnia.

The Mysteries of Indian Hemp

When the United Kingdom assumed control over India in the mid-1850s, it was inevitable that the subjects of the British crown would eventually encounter and consume cannabis in one of the plants primal regions of cultivation.

The nation’s subsequent interest and concern in the plant’s resinous products led to the formation of the Indian Hemp Drugs Commission in 1893. This commission represents the first major Western attempt at understanding cannabis, the humble beginnings of the path that with current social tolerance allowing for greater research and access, we now see being being freshly paved into an ultra-modern freeway.

In the years following the commission, some scientists were intrigued enough to pry apart the mysteries of “Indian Hemp.” CBN was the first cannabinoid successfully isolated from charas (otherwise known as hand-rubbed hashish) by British researchers in 1896 and, in 1933, was the first cannabinoid to have its chemical structure successfully elucidated.

Members of the Kansas House of Representatives voted to approve a bill on Thursday that would legalize the medicinal use of cannabis. The measure, Senate Bill 158 (SB 158), was passed in the House by a vote of 79 to 42.

The Kansas Senate approved SB 158 on March 25 and then sent the measure to the House, where it was amended by lawmakers. The bill will now head back to the upper chamber so that senators can consider the changes made in the House.

“The state of Kansas is finally catching up to the twenty-first century,” said Rep. Louis Ruiz, the ranking Democrat on the House Federal and State Affairs Committee. “Kansans need to have access to all possible health options available to them, especially if they are experiencing chronic illnesses. This bill will do exactly that. Many of our neighboring states have passed similar legislation. It’s time for us to do the same.”

Under SB 158, registered patients and caregivers would be permitted to buy up to a 90-day supply of medicinal cannabis products at a time. Patients would not be permitted to smoke or vape medical marijuana. The specific amount of cannabis would be determined by state officials, who would be tasked with drafting the rules and regulations for the medical marijuana program by July 1, 2023.

In the US state of Massachusetts, protected farmland can now be utilised for growing cannabis.

Massachusetts’ Agricultural Preservation Restriction (APR) Program, established in the 1970’s, is a voluntary program that pays owners of farmland the difference between the “fair market value” and the “agricultural value” of their land in exchange for a permanent deed restriction protecting it for future agricultural use. This prevents it from being built on by development companies for non-agricultural purposes.

Landowners with at least five acres of land with suitable soils that have been in agricultural production for the last two years can apply for the program – and there are restrictions as to what can be grown on the land from the point of being accepted.

These past two years have been an unprecedented whirlwind to say the least.

Many mothers were forced to adjust to the pandemic’s new normal, which includes juggling work, homeschooling, and parental care, without having the ability to destress outside the home. 

This Mother’s Day, you deserve to be pampered like the queen you are. 

Do a D.I.Y home spa treatment, light some candles, unwind with your favorite strain or tasty CBD gummy.

We picked out some of the best Mother’s Day gifts that will make this holiday a day to remember for you, or another mother in your life.

Many would argue 2020 has been the most stressful year in a generation.

Between a polarizing U.S. presidential election, a novel coronavirus pandemic claiming more than 268,000 lives from 13.6 million reported cases (as of November 30),, the fluctuating, unreliable data, and millions of people who may be stressing out due to ongoing isolation from their loved ones due to rolling lockdowns and social distancing measures, as well as rising unemployment with no end in sight, it is understandable for Americans to have a sense of heightened anxiety and insecurity.

However, one set of data that can be relied upon is that Americans are turning en masse to cannabis, and cannabis delivery, to ease their tensions during these trying times. 

Enter the rise of cannabis delivery companies and the ancillary services that power them. 

Lantern: A Light in the Darkness 

Lantern is an independently-operated cannabis e-commerce marketplace and delivery platform in the U.S.

A new report finds a new main reason Americans were interested in using medical cannabis during 2020; a year many would like to forget.

The report was based details supplied by Veriheal, which has a database of around 125,000 patient assessments, and comparing sign-up and appointment numbers with Centre for Disease Control (CDC) COVID-19 tracker numbers.

While the researchers were expecting the majority of interest in cannabis would involve “Relief/Pain-Free,” the results indicated patients were most commonly looking to medical cannabis for alleviation of mental stresses in 2020. In addition to the coronavirus, other major events during the year also mentioned as a stressors were riots, protests and  the US election.

““Happy/Bliss” was found to be the most desired effect while “Relief/Pain-Free” was the second by a much lesser degree,” says Veriheal.

When it came to the point of a confirmed appointment, the primary reason for acquiring medical cannabis was “happy” among males (42%) and “relief” for females (39%), with Verihealth saying the latter was linked to women’s and reproductive health – issues such as menstrual cramps and menopausal pains.

Consumers have been forced underground with the herb all their lives and now that it is finally being recognized as a legal substance, they refuse to keep hiding.

It’s getting to the point where it is almost impossible to be anywhere in the United States and not catch a whiff of marijuana coming from somewhere at some point. More than half the nation has legalized the leaf for medicinal and recreational use.

Even though cannabis users aren’t supposed to smoke the stuff in public, the odors seem to be out there, invading everyone’s olfactory senses, regardless of whether they like it or not. For some folks, the scent of marijuana wafting through the air is not a problem. But the smell can get others noticeably offended.

And it’s not just the old-time conservatives well-adjusted to the ways of pot prohibition taking a stand. Younger people are among those who think marijuana odors in this country are out of control.

Photo by Tunatura/Getty Images

Smoking weed is getting more popular than ever with people of all age brackets. Though it is not yet completely legal worldwide, the legalization movement has gained a lot of traction over the last few years. It remains to be seen when it becomes fully legal. What are the reasons for this consideration of legalizing what was once vehemently frowned at? There have been proven successes with using weed medically. It is known that the cannabinoids in weeds may reduce pain by altering the pathways for pain perception in the brain.  It can be helpful for treating chronic pains like those from arthritis. Smoking weed normally has its immediate effect on the brain. So, is it likely that this can affect one’s creativity? Let us find out together.

The science and neuroscience of doing weed

From renowned PhDs in science laboratories to those kids with dreadlocks in their dormitories, the effect of weed on creativity has been studied extensively. The findings have been somewhat of a mixed bag situation. Creativity is like divergent thinking or the ability to view things in several other different ways from the norm. When people see innovations that practically beat normal human imagination, you do hear remarks of “wow, what did he smoke?”. It is proof that some people believe that there is some temporary genius that comes with smoking weed.

In 2010,  a study by Rothwell Morgan showed that one of the properties of weed is the ability to make connections among concepts that seem unrelated. It is like increasing hyper-priming. Weed also causes the brain to release dopamine, a neurochemical substance that gives users a calm feeling. People high on weed usually discover that their thoughts and feelings move more freely. More research on the use of weed shows that it blurs the lines between the human five senses, increasing the capacity for some creative display.

The high and creative

If we move away from science a little bit, another evidence of the importance of weed to creativity is the way celebrities fight over it. Many famous people have made their conclusion on their use of weed clear. Steve Jobs once remarked that the best way he could define the effect of weed is that it made him relaxed and creative. Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys claims that smoking weed helped him to write the massively acclaimed pet sound album. Another actor, screenwriter, and director named Kevin Smith credited his ability to climb out of his failures with films, to the smoking of weed

Weed and creativity in music production

Most musical artists especially the ones in rap and rock do showcase weed in their videos and the probability is high that they patronize it. Studies have shown that one of the ways in which weed helps the user to be creative is in the production of music. Some of these artists smoke weed to get new ideas either with their rapping, singing, disk jockeying, playing musical instruments, or even while using music making software.

In a move that could limit the options of advocates promoting cannabis legalization initiatives, the Idaho Senate approved a bill on Wednesday that would ban advertising for marijuana in the state. The Senate passed the measure, SB 1218, with a vote of 21 to 14, sending the legislation to the state House of Representatives for consideration.

During debate on the bill, Sen. Scott Grow, the sponsor of the measure, said that billboards in western Idaho advertise cannabis businesses just over the border in Oregon, where recreational marijuana is legal for adults.

“People are being encouraged to violate the law,” Grow said. “They’re being encouraged to go over and get something they know is illegal in Idaho.”

Earlier on Wednesday, the bill had been placed on a fast track for approval, receiving a committee hearing with little notice for the public to participate. Nonetheless, four citizens appeared at the meeting to oppose the measure, while no one showed up to speak in favor of the bill. Their efforts were in vain, however, with the panel’s Republican majority approving the bill with a vote of 7 to 2 along party lines.

Serra Frank, a cannabis activist and the organizer of Boise Hempfest, told High Times that anti-cannabis lawmakers are going to extreme measures to thwart reform.

As Judge Richard A. Licht (quoting a slightly more famous source) said in a 2017 court opinion: “I get high with a little help from my friends.” Four years later, employers may be asking themselves which of their employees are getting high and what can they do about it.

States have been busy when it comes to marijuana laws. Before the mid-2010s, employers tended not to worry about state marijuana laws because of marijuana’s illegal status under federal law. However, those days are over, and state marijuana legalization laws continue to affect how employers can run their workplaces.

In 2020, and even as state legislatures were unable to proceed with typical legislative sessions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, two states (Mississippi and South Dakota) approved voter ballot initiatives legalizing medical marijuana and four states (Arizona, Montana, New Jersey, and South Dakota) legalized recreational marijuana. Already in 2021, New Mexico, New York, and Virginia have passed laws legalizing recreational marijuana, and other state legislatures are still considering medical or recreational marijuana legalization laws or amendments to existing laws to create employment protections or otherwise expand the coverage of existing laws. These include Alabama, California, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Florida, Hawaii, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas.

Even employers in jurisdictions that haven’t yet legalized marijuana for any purpose, should take note that change is likely coming. If a state has legalized marijuana but maintained an employer-friendly landscape, that could also change. For many states, the legalization of marijuana has followed a predictable timeline. First, these states legalize cannabidiol (CBD) and other low- tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) products. Then, they legalize medical marijuana, sometimes with employment protections for medical marijuana cardholders and sometimes not. Then, they amend existing medical marijuana laws to add employment protections. Finally, they legalize recreational marijuana. Perhaps most worrisome for employers are new provisions in New Jersey’s and New York’s laws that provide recreational marijuana users with direct or indirect employment protections.

As this trend continues, it will be challenging for employers to stay ahead of developments and compliant with state and federal laws. Employers may have employment-related concerns stemming from the legalization of marijuana and the possibility of employees being in the workplace while under the influence. These concerns extend beyond the nuances of the marijuana laws themselves and include disability discrimination and accommodation issues, drug testing rights and responsibilities, state and federal statutory and regulatory compliance matters, workplace safety questions, varied obligations pertaining to government contractors, workers’ compensation implications, employee privacy protections, and more. The differences in laws from state to state make it even more difficult for employers, which must develop policies and procedures that are compliant in each jurisdiction where they have employees and worksites. To further complicate matters, federal and state disability discrimination and accommodation requirements apply across the board.

Ethanol contains 7 calories per gram. That’s almost two times the calories of carbohydrates and nearly as many of fat. So, if you want to drink beer without the calories, sorry — it’s not going to happen. It can’t.

That may be why, as breweries strive to minimize their beers’ caloric value, cannabis beverages are taking flight. With THC-infused drinks, consumers can attain that buzz they’re after without the caloric baggage. In a sense, they’re required to, since it is illegal to combine alcohol and THC in the same product.

Cannabis-infused drinks have been on the market for several years now, but I didn’t have a taste until last week, when I was delivered a sample pack of a lime-and-basil-flavored bubbly water infused lightly with the compounds of interest from marijuana — namely, and chemically, tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol. These are better known in daily dialogues as THC and CBD.

CBD is the miracle molecule that cures all ills, or nearly so, according to high life advocates, while THC is the compound that messes with people’s heads.

The product I tasted contains both. It is on shelves now and emerged from a collaboration between Sava, a local online cannabis vendor, and Cann, which makes a variety of all-natural, low-dose “social tonics,” as Cann’s website calls them.

The pandemic might be fading in the U.S., but Americans are still toking up in record numbers. Two states where recreational marijuana is permitted just published April sales numbers, and the results provided a nice contact high for the cannabis industry.

In Oregon, the first state to decriminalize cannabis (before making it fully legal many years later), total weed sales topped $110.5 million in April, setting a new monthly record and exceeding $110 million for the first time. That's saying something in a market that has effectively been open only since 2016.

That breaks the previous all-time high, which happened to be the preceding month. The April peak was 5% over the March result ($109 million, to be exact). While Illinois is still fairly new to the recreational legalization game (it flipped the switch in January 2020), it's far more populous than Oregon; given that, plus the newness of the recreational market, the state theoretically has much greater potential for growth.

Considering these developments, one company for marijuana stock investors to keep an eye on is sprawling multistate operator (MSO) Curaleaf (OTC:CURLF), which has dispensaries in both states. Of the two, the stronger presence by far is in Illinois, where Curaleaf operates 10 dispensaries, including one on -- believe it or not -- West Weed Street in Chicago.

In honor of all the moms out there, we’ve curated a special list of hemp-based products mothers will surely swoon over. High-quality CBD topicals always make for a nice gift, but Mom also deserves a thoughtful gesture—a massage at her favorite spa, breakfast in bed, a relaxing afternoon to herself, or maybe just spending some time together.

Along with premium, best-in class CBD products, this list also features fun hemp-related products along with ideas for incorporating the benefits of CBD into a memorable Mother’s Day. From waking up on Sunday morning, to falling asleep at night, the mom in your life will be feeling the love.

1. Cannabis Leaf Waffle Maker by Waffleye

Wake Mom up this Mother’s Day with cannabis-themed waffles. The Waffleye Waffle Maker features a large cannabis leaf design and adds some fun and creativity to breakfast, regardless of whether you infuse your waffles with cannabis or not. If she likes to wake and bake, be sure to check out Waffleye’s cannabis-infused recipes, ranging from easy to more difficult. Top it off with this pure, grade-A CBD maple syrup by Northwoods Maple Farm for an added treat.

2. CBD Coffee by Strava

Strava’s specialty coffee is infused with broad-spectrum CBD for a delicious cup of joe that delivers energy, focus and alertness without the jitters. Whole bean, K-Cup or Nespresso formats make it easy for you to prepare her favorite way. Strava coffee is available in three different strengths of CBD (4mg, 10mg, and 20 mg) so that you can make Mom the perfect morning cup. Not only are the beans delicious and sustainably sourced, but we love how the synergy of CBD and caffeine sets you up for an energetic, fulfilling day, and we think she will too.

3. Italian Sparkling Rose & Prosecco by Weed Cellars

Whether it’s breakfast in bed with mimosas, or an afternoon soaking up the sun and sipping on rose that she wants, Weed Cellars has you covered. This fun brand name reflects the changing times, but none of their products contain THC or CBD. Their sparkling rose and prosecco are produced from Glera grapes in Friuli, Italy—an ideal location for sparkling wines. At $12.99/bottle, both styles showcase a full range of flavors at an affordable price point. Not too dry and not too sweet, these wines hit the mark.